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That was where Bishop said he wanted to be when he signed and has seen progress since the Iron went back up to League One and improvement again this season would see them go up automatically.

He believes with the mix of youth and experience United have this season, he still believes it is a realistic aim despite the league looking tougher this season.

“The Championship is the ultimate aim and it is the same for everybody at this club,” he said.

“We have got a really good group here and we have added experience and youth so it is a really good mix as it was last year.

“We lost a lot of experience but we have brought in the likes of Rory (McArdle) and Gillo (Matt Gilks) who have both been round the block more than once.

“We need to gel quickly and the majority of the lads who have come in are good experienced pros.

“We have got a good group and plenty of leaders in that camp so the Championship has got to be the aim. You always want to go one better than last year and we were third last season. There is still lots to achieve here.”

One of those experienced players that have come into the squad is goalkeeper Matt Gilks.

Gilks has impressed during his time at Glanford Park so far this season with his commanding presence at the back and impressive performances between the sticks.

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He is almost certain to be number one for the season opener against Wimbledon and Bishop was able to give an insight into his character as the pair played together at Blackpool.

“Matt is good around the dressing room and he won’t take people not doing the right things,” Bishop explained. “If training is quiet he will say something and that is what you need.

“There are a couple of lads similar to that in the group and if things are not right, it is up to us experienced pros to put things right and not rely on the management and I think Matt is very good in that respect.”

At the other end of the experience scale is Funso Ojo who joined the Iron last month.

Ojo is currently unproven in League One but has shown flashes of what he can bring with a 30-yard strike against Sunderland which cannoned off the bar.

“It is good for him to have Kev (van Veen) here,” Bishop added. “His English is very good, probably better than mine, and he has come in and settled well.

“Once he is up to speed in this league he will be an asset.

“We showed last season what a good side we are and we want to replicate that.”

If the Iron do that and then some then Bishop might finally achieve his aim with Scunthorpe when he signed for them those three season ago.